Mine cutter chain



Patented May 27, 193@ warren stares @FFICE FRANK CARTLIDGE, F CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO CINCINNATI MINE MA- CHINERY 00., OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A'CORPOR-ATION OF OHIO MINE CUTTER CHAIN Application filed July 8, 1926.

My invention relates to improvements in cutter chains for mining machines.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved form of connector link for the cutting links of a mining machine chain which may be cheaply and readily manufactured, which will possess greater strength than the type of link now used and which, while preventing the bit holding link or block from being rocked by pressure exerted against the cutting bit will permit the chain to bend in two directions.

For the purpose of disclosing my invention I have illustrated one embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a portion of a chain embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through one of the connector links;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the connector links;

Fig. 4. is a sectional view on the line H of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the connector link is formed.

Fig. 6 is an end View thereof, showing in dotted lines the blank bent to form, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pivotal connector between the links.

In the embodiment illustrated the cutter chain is made up of a series of bit-carrying blocks 1 connected together by connector links 2. Each block is provided with a top shoulder 3 and has a diagonally extending bit receiving recess 4 formed therein for receiving the cutter bit 5. The cutter bit is held in locked position by a set screw 6 threaded into the upper portion of the block at the front end. The two ends of the block have transversely extending openings 7 formed therein and at the point where these openings are formed the block is reduced in thickness as at 8 leaving a curved shoulder 9. On each side of the block there is provided a guide flange 10 adapted to fit in the guide-way of the cutter chain guide.

The blocks are connected together by the links 2. These links are forged and in producing the link a blank is forged comprising Serial No. 121,106.

a pair of oblong portions 11 and 12 rounded at their opposite ends and having formed at their outer edges guide flanges 13 and 1 1. These side members are connected together at one end by a bridge 15 integrally formed with the side members and thickened at the point 16, to provide increased strength at this point and thereby prevent breaking when the bridge member is bent to cause the two side portions to lie parallel as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 6. When the bridge member is thus bent the bridge member and that portion thereof bent downwardly forms an upwardly projecting abutment straight on its front edge 17 and extending above the sides 11 and 12.

The side members after the blank has been. bent to form the link are drilled to provide openings 18 and 19 adapted when the links are assembled with the chain blocks 1 to coincide with the openings 7. The inner face of one of the side members is also channeled as at 20 which channel it will be noted traverses the opening 18 and when the links areassembled with the cutter blocks with the face 17 adjacent the rear face of the shoulder 3 on the block, the block and link are connected together by a pivotal member com prising a bushing 21 arranged to fit the opening 7, which bushing is provided with a pair of ears 22 adapted to fit in the slot 20 on opposite sides of the opening 18. Passing through the sides of the links 11 and 12 and the bushing 21 is a rivet pin 23 having a head 24 and being adapted, after inserted in position, to have its opposite end 25 riveted over as illustrated in Fig. 2. By this arrangement it will be noted that the bushing which may be of hardened steel is locked against rotation and that the pivotal movement is on this hardened bushing so that the rivet pin 24 may be of soft or malleable steel and serve simply as a locking member on which no rotatable wear takes place.

By providing the projection at the forward end of the connecting link, which projection abuts against the shoulder 3 on the bit or cutter link, the cutter links are held against tilting backwards due to the pressure exerted on the cutter bit in operation. At the same time there is nothing to prevent the chain from bending in either direction.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cutter chain the combination with bit blocks having an upwardly extending bit-holding projection, of connecting links alternating with the bit blocks and each comprising elongated side members having on their front upper edge integral ears extending upwardly, said ears being connected by a transversely extending bridge member, the front edge of said bridge member and ears being substantially fiat and adapted to abut the rear end of the projections on the bit block.

2. In a cutter chain the combination with bit blocks having an upwardly extending bit holding projection, of connecting links alternating with the bit blocks and each comprising a pair of elongated side members having on their upper edges at their forward ends integral upwardly extending ears inclining towards one another and connected at their tops by a transversely extending integral bridge member, said ears adapted to abut the rear end of the projections on the bit block.

3. In a cutter chain the combination with bit blocks having an upwardly extending bit-holding projection, of connecting links alternating with the bit blocks and each comprising a pair of side straps each having'at its forward end an upwardly extending ear adjacent the rear end of the bit-carrying portion of the bit block, means for connecting the ears of each pair of straps together and pivot members extending through the s1de straps connecting the same together and connecting the straps to the bit blocks.

4. In a cutter chain, the'combination with a bit block having an upwardly ext-ending bit holding projection, of connecting links alternating with the bit blocks, each comprising a pair of side members pivotally connecting with the bit blocks and having a transversely extending bridge portion integrally joining and spacing the members, the bridge portion extending from the upper side of one end of the members providing an abutment for the bit holding projection of a bit block.

In witness whereof I, FRANK GARTLIDGE, have hereunto set my hand at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 3rd day of July, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six.

FRANK CARTLIDGE. 

